CANANDAIGUA – Rodney Dutton has tried a lot of different ways to stay fit. But the Vietnam veteran from Canandaigua didn’t have an easy time of it — until recently."I tried different gyms and personal trainers," said Dutton, 66, who served in Army. "I knew it wouldn’t work for me."Then he heard about the Gerofit Program."I thought, ‘it’s worth a try,’" said Dutton, who was one of the first to sign on to the VA program that began in January at the Canandaigua VA and its Rochester Outpatient Clinic.The exercise class meets three days a week. In one recent class, Dutton's warm-ups consisted of mild stretching exercises on a floor mat that led into other activities, such as tossing a medicine ball. Heather Cammarata, a VA physical therapy assistant, supervised Dutton through his exercises.Teri Kopp, a physical therapist who heads the Gerofit Program at the VA facilities in Canandaigua and Rochester, said the program helps veterans gain confidence and enjoy the support of fellow vets as they improve their physical fitness."They cheer each other on," she said.Each veteran has an individualized exercise prescription and workout routine. The routine is based on medical history, exercise status, physical limitations, goals and personal likes and dislikes. Programs include warm-up and floor-conditioning exercises, Tai Chi and conditioning on a variety of exercise machines to build and maintain heart health and strength."After the first hour, I knew it was right," said Dutton. The support from the coaches, fellow vets and the positive, encouraging atmosphere won him over, he said. It’s a routine he enjoys, and he knows he can stick with it, he said.The national VA’s Gerofit Program Director Miriam Morey was recently at the Canandaigua VA program, which is held in the VA’s KT Gym, Building 33. Morey developed the program in 1986 and is associate director of research of the Durham VA GRECC (Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center). Morey said she is thrilled to see the program that began at the Durham, N.C., VA taking off in Canandaigua and Rochester. The local programs are among the latest in the nation at facilities that include VAs in Baltimore, Miami and Los Angeles.Veterans can continue participating in the program as long as they like and are encouraged to do so, said Morey. Veterans can also participate with a spouse, as in the case with a couple who started when the program began at the Durham VA in 1986. They are now both 97 years old and going strong, Morey said.She added, "this program is lifelong."

What is Gerofit?The facility-based exercise and health promotion program at the Canandaigua VA Medical Center and Rochester VA Outpatient Clinic offers eligible veterans age 65 and older a supervised exercise program. The program encourages physical activity, shows how to reduce the risk of falls and improves the ability to move and be active. For more information and enrollment, contact Teri Kopp, rehabilitation supervisor at (585) 463-2600 ext. 32517 or e-mail @ Teresa.kopp@va.gov.